Along the Byway
A series of articles about some of the many themes that you can experience on the Byway.
Bring your binoculars! For casual and serious birders alike, the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway is a treasure trove for birding. From the many excellent birding sites along the lake to a nationally important wildlife and waterfowl refuge and an internationally renowned ornithology research lab, Cayuga Lake has plenty to keep bird enthusiasts interested. Birding in the area is a rich… read more »
In April 2018, Bike Walk Tompkins and the City of Ithaca launched a new bikeshare program that aims to make Ithaca and Tompkins County a community where walking and biking are safe and convenient for people of all ages and abilities. LimeBike, a private dockless bikeshare operator, will deploy 200+ bicycles conveniently around the city and outlying communities. Folks looking… read more »
Experience the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway a whole new way by taking a Sundae Drive to indulge in the creamiest of ice creams as you “Enjoy the Ride” on the Byway. Ithaca, the official birthplace of the ice cream sundae, is the perfect place to start your journey. Back in the day, on a Sunday afternoon, April 3, 1892 to… read more »
On your trip around the Byway, we want to remind you about visiting a very important habitat along the Cayuga Lake basin – the cattail marsh. The cattail marsh is an important habitat area for a wide variety of the animal kingdom – songbirds, waterfowl, fish, insects, reptiles, amphibians and mammals. Alas, it is also a habitat that vanished from… read more »
The number of music venues on the Byway continues to grow each year, along with the variety of music genres you can enjoy. Here are just a few of the venues to get you started on your musical journey around the Byway. Fridays, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Sundays, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.… read more »
We still have our beautiful, collectible 10th Anniversary coins available. Whether you are a die-hard geocacher or new to the sport, geocaching the Byway is a great way to explore some of the off-the-beaten-path corners along the byway route. For more information about our trail, visit our Geocaching page. AND, if you are new to this fun scavenger-hunt-style sport check… read more »
Check out our video to get a preview of a few of the destinations you can experience along the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway. We know you’ll have a great time visiting us. ENJOY THE RIDE! read more »
While you are out there enjoying all things Byway, we'd love to see the Byway through your experience. It’s easy to share your photos with us. You can click on Gallery and select either “please click here” in the text or click on Submit a Photo/Video in the box on the right hand side of the Gallery page. Or post… read more »
A trip around the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway offers plenty of places of beauty and natural wonder. The lake itself, the rolling farmlands, the striking waterfalls and gorges all contribute to a sense of bounty and connection to nature. Here are just a few of the places you may want to visit. At 215 feet, Taughannock Falls, on the west… read more »
There are so many ways to enjoy the Cayuga Lake area and the Byway Board is busy working on three new programs to help you get even more out of your experience starting in 2020. While we know we are a popular destination to learn about and develop an appreciation for top-quality wine, cider, beer and distillery products, the Cayuga… read more »
As you travel the Byway this year, take some time to visit the many sites around Cayuga Lake where you can experience the majesty of Cayuga Lake’s aerial anglers – the bald eagle and osprey. The Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge is a great starting point at the north end of the lake to view bald eagle’s nests. Our nation’s bird… read more »
Once you spend time exploring the Finger Lakes region of New York State, whether you live here or are vacationing here, you can’t help but fall in love with the scenic beauty, rich history and eclectic culture. Celebrating that love and passion and sharing it with friends and family just got a bit easier along the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway.… read more »
Once the frontier of the United States, the Cayuga Lake region was home to progressive cultural movements and industrial innovations. The Erie Canal, now referred to as the Barge Canal, is one of the early transportation innovations. The canal system will soon be up and operating again for the season. If you've never seen how a canal lock functions, stop… read more »
Yes, indeed there is – Frontenac Island. The island is located at the northeast end of Cayuga Lake off the shores of the village of Union Springs. While it appears to be just a large vegetation clump in the lake, this island has a very interesting past dating back thousands of years! So, read on to learn about some of… read more »
Fishing Cayuga Lake is just one of the many activities you can participate in on your trip to the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway. Just how good is the fishing? Well it’s so good that the BASSMASTERS professionals will be back in August 2019 to ply the waters of Cayuga Lake for the top prize in their Elite Series Tournament. Our… read more »
Imagine sipping exquisite wine while looking out on a spectacular view of vineyards sloping down to Cayuga Lake. There are 28 wineries around Cayuga Lake, and visiting one or more of them can lead to some of the most delightful experiences along the Byway. All the wineries offer distinctive wines in a beautiful setting, yet each is unique, offering their… read more »
Don't forget the bicycles when you plan your trip to the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway. The 8.5-mile Black Diamond Trail along with the 5.5-mile Cayuga Waterfront Trail combine to allow you to ride from the city of Ithaca to Taughannock Falls State Park all off-highway. This is a great opportunity for families and those a little skittish about bicycling on… read more »
While you might only think about experiencing the landscape and the amenities of our 87-mile-long, loop byway via the wheeled vehicle of your choice or any combination thereof – car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle – make sure to include an on-the-water experience of Cayuga Lake as part of your Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway adventure. There truly is nothing like a day… read more »
